Our bedroom from one end...
and the other...
Marguerite's room
The stairs, which we painted a nice grey-blue...
November 14, 2008
Final Apartment Photos...
To finish (this is it - I promise)...
Our bedroom from one end...
and the other...
Marguerite's room
The stairs, which we painted a nice grey-blue...
Our bedroom from one end...
and the other...
Marguerite's room
The stairs, which we painted a nice grey-blue...
November 1, 2008
La Salle de Bain
Now for the bathroom: the bathroom that we tiled and restored...
When considering where to position the toilet paper roll, Xavier (strangely) has a list of criteria, which in the past, he has never been able to meet entirely.
1. The dispenser should be as hidden as possible. As you can see, this exposed wooden beam comes in nicely for this criterion.
2. It should be handy for women, who sit and for men when they sit.
3. It should also be handy for men when they stand (reachable without bending your knees).
When considering where to position the toilet paper roll, Xavier (strangely) has a list of criteria, which in the past, he has never been able to meet entirely.
1. The dispenser should be as hidden as possible. As you can see, this exposed wooden beam comes in nicely for this criterion.
2. It should be handy for women, who sit and for men when they sit.
3. It should also be handy for men when they stand (reachable without bending your knees).
October 27, 2008
Climbing Out
If it seems that I have been obsessed with and all-consumed by this apartment - that is because I have been. Moving on and climbing out now that things are a bit organized... (but still, bathroom and bedroom photos to be added very soon - just a little more indulgence).
October 23, 2008
Our Disaster
I've sort of disappeared this week. I am actually trapped under boxes if anyone can come by and free me.
So, we have moved into our apartment, which wasn't really ready to be moved into, mais ce n'est pas grave. Every day after Juan leaves, (Juan is the gentleman working hard to finish things), I get more and more excited that this place will come together. These pictures may not show it, but it will be a really great apartment.
First, the move...moving out:
Moving in:
During the commotion, Marguerite and I sat in a big chair and observed.
Meanwhile, Xavier transported his most precious objects by bike:
And was very proud of himself when he arrived:
The apartment awaiting all of our stuff:
And then it arrived:
And little by little, we sort through it...that is, when the rooms are completed and ready to receive.
And I do love the neighborhood...just down the street we find:
So, we have moved into our apartment, which wasn't really ready to be moved into, mais ce n'est pas grave. Every day after Juan leaves, (Juan is the gentleman working hard to finish things), I get more and more excited that this place will come together. These pictures may not show it, but it will be a really great apartment.
First, the move...moving out:
Moving in:
During the commotion, Marguerite and I sat in a big chair and observed.
Meanwhile, Xavier transported his most precious objects by bike:
And was very proud of himself when he arrived:
The apartment awaiting all of our stuff:
And then it arrived:
And little by little, we sort through it...that is, when the rooms are completed and ready to receive.
And I do love the neighborhood...just down the street we find:
October 16, 2008
We're Moving in on Saturday!
That is proclaimed with a conglomeration of emotions. The apartment will be fabulous. YEAH! The bathroom has no toilet yet. NO! The work is taking a wee bit longer than anticipated. WHAT?! And Xavier is as self-satisfied as ever. EHHH!
Translation: Voila. Look. It is practically finished. Exactly as anticipated - in, what, 3 days we're here - everything is great. Just like we thought - it's finished. There is nothing left to do - a few little things - a few details to take care of...
Here are some images to accompany his claims:
First of all, Xavier has been working diligently to move things along...
...with a little help from his friends (Nicolas, Xavier and I really did tile the bathroom).
The Paris metro tiles I mentioned previously.
The kitchen.
The living room.
Our bedroom.
Marguerite's room.
I love the texturing of the walls - common in France, but again, not in my brain.
So, we will have to live with some work. Not a big deal.
Translation: Voila. Look. It is practically finished. Exactly as anticipated - in, what, 3 days we're here - everything is great. Just like we thought - it's finished. There is nothing left to do - a few little things - a few details to take care of...
Here are some images to accompany his claims:
First of all, Xavier has been working diligently to move things along...
...with a little help from his friends (Nicolas, Xavier and I really did tile the bathroom).
The Paris metro tiles I mentioned previously.
The kitchen.
The living room.
Our bedroom.
Marguerite's room.
I love the texturing of the walls - common in France, but again, not in my brain.
So, we will have to live with some work. Not a big deal.
September 28, 2008
Exposed Wires
They are all over the place. And I wonder why I like them so much. I like how they are messy and intertwined and tangled and purple and red and yellow and blue. It will gratify me to know they are still there in cahoots with each other, behind the walls, even after all of this.
Apartment Wonders
Progress...(as the move-in date rapidly approaches...)
the kitchen...
the bathroom...
...sans toilet and sink, excavated by Xavier
the bedroom upstairs...
...this sink resides in the bedroom - charming...and I'm going to tile the wall behind it with tiny square tiles and make a mural of my own
...this fireplace also resides in the bedroom...to be renovated a bit
...Xavier thought about working hard all day long
...and I could be found in various corners of the apartment singing songs
September 10, 2008
Demolition Chez Nous
The fun has begun. We are officially the new owners of the catastrophe on rue du Faubourg St. Martin! Take a look:
Quite seriously though, the apartment is going to be magnificent - 'going to be' is the most important part of that claim. We signed last Wednesday and started destroying immediately. We found the guy who is doing all the work rather serendipitously - he was the person who did all the work on the apartment we are renting now before we moved in and we have continually thought his work was splendid. So, we called him up to do some work of our own this time.
I will keep adding photos to document the work on the apartment because it will go quickly; you see, our move in date is October 15. Given the evidence from the photo above, you might say that is an impossible and fool-hardy target, but then, you don't know Xavier Joly. (Remember, speed everything up by 200% - even the motions of people he has employed to help him).
But first, I will take you to the apartment from afar. We are the blue and black bulls-eye on the map of Paris below. (Definitely to scale).
More specifically, rue du Faubourg St. Martin in the 10th arrondissement.
We will start with the stairs. The long trek up: 6 flights.
But there are beautiful things to see along the way:
Almost there:
Ah. The front door, which, like the rest of the abode, will get a facelift (and some plants potted in that planter).
We've arrived.
The plan is to knock down as many walls as possible and have an entirely open living room/kitchen. This picture features Juan - the great guy doing all the damage. He is really incredible. We came on Monday and walls were still up. When I walked in this morning, I was shocked. He knows how to use a hammer.
Here is the view from the opposite side of the apartment, looking back at the door from the windows.
And with the help of a modern miracle, here is what will become the kitchen:
The view still knocks your socks off:
So, that is the first floor - the kitchen, the living room, a small bedroom (to be constructed), and the bathroom (not featured, but in which we plan to use Parisian subway tiles - more on that promised). As for the second floor, here we go...our lovely little stairs leading up:
And, this space has remained untouched thus far.
The view from one bedroom window:
And the other:
And the tremendous skylight:
And then a feature of the apartment that I particularly love. "Les tomettes." The floor. Aren't they yummy? They are warm and cold. They are all sorts of reds. They are well-known in France but not in my brain. They are everywhere in the apartment.
And one more. I love the little balcony - we shall have a planting festival out there when this mess is all cleaned up.
Let me just add that Xavier is remarkable at getting things done. Gas lines, electricity, no problem - a guy is there within hours. Tiles to be ordered: one discussion of what I'd like - ordered the next day to be delivered. Some people would deliberate for hours about what type of tiles should go in a bathroom. We concur that that sort of thing is a waste of time. Our impetuosity has gotten the better of both of us at various moments in our lives; not this time. With our powers combined, this will be the shortest and most efficient demolition/decoration/move-in job in history. Just plowing ahead. Especially Xavier. He is a go-getter. I'm lucky to be the main beneficiary.
Quite seriously though, the apartment is going to be magnificent - 'going to be' is the most important part of that claim. We signed last Wednesday and started destroying immediately. We found the guy who is doing all the work rather serendipitously - he was the person who did all the work on the apartment we are renting now before we moved in and we have continually thought his work was splendid. So, we called him up to do some work of our own this time.
I will keep adding photos to document the work on the apartment because it will go quickly; you see, our move in date is October 15. Given the evidence from the photo above, you might say that is an impossible and fool-hardy target, but then, you don't know Xavier Joly. (Remember, speed everything up by 200% - even the motions of people he has employed to help him).
But first, I will take you to the apartment from afar. We are the blue and black bulls-eye on the map of Paris below. (Definitely to scale).
More specifically, rue du Faubourg St. Martin in the 10th arrondissement.
We will start with the stairs. The long trek up: 6 flights.
But there are beautiful things to see along the way:
Almost there:
Ah. The front door, which, like the rest of the abode, will get a facelift (and some plants potted in that planter).
We've arrived.
The plan is to knock down as many walls as possible and have an entirely open living room/kitchen. This picture features Juan - the great guy doing all the damage. He is really incredible. We came on Monday and walls were still up. When I walked in this morning, I was shocked. He knows how to use a hammer.
Here is the view from the opposite side of the apartment, looking back at the door from the windows.
And with the help of a modern miracle, here is what will become the kitchen:
The view still knocks your socks off:
So, that is the first floor - the kitchen, the living room, a small bedroom (to be constructed), and the bathroom (not featured, but in which we plan to use Parisian subway tiles - more on that promised). As for the second floor, here we go...our lovely little stairs leading up:
And, this space has remained untouched thus far.
The view from one bedroom window:
And the other:
And the tremendous skylight:
And then a feature of the apartment that I particularly love. "Les tomettes." The floor. Aren't they yummy? They are warm and cold. They are all sorts of reds. They are well-known in France but not in my brain. They are everywhere in the apartment.
And one more. I love the little balcony - we shall have a planting festival out there when this mess is all cleaned up.
Let me just add that Xavier is remarkable at getting things done. Gas lines, electricity, no problem - a guy is there within hours. Tiles to be ordered: one discussion of what I'd like - ordered the next day to be delivered. Some people would deliberate for hours about what type of tiles should go in a bathroom. We concur that that sort of thing is a waste of time. Our impetuosity has gotten the better of both of us at various moments in our lives; not this time. With our powers combined, this will be the shortest and most efficient demolition/decoration/move-in job in history. Just plowing ahead. Especially Xavier. He is a go-getter. I'm lucky to be the main beneficiary.
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